If you are anything like me, then thinking of new present ideas is a difficult task. Don’t get me wrong – thee will always be those people for whom buying presents is a blessing, who have many hobbies and interests and who are so well known to you that instinct directs you to the right shelf.
For all those other people, however, picking the perfect tie or generic DVD may just be one of the most painful (and not to mention ruddy boring) activities you have ever embarked on.
This year, therefore, I am being a little sneaky. I am making them their presents, with pretty Christmas or winter themed items that not only have the brilliant connotations of homemade quality and effort, but which also save me a bit of money on the price of a normal present!
Now, I am taking a bit of a risk sharing this – but here is to hoping that no one who is being given these actually ends up on here reading about it! It is a gamble I am prepared to take, however!
To make your own dried fruit in Christmas brandy, you will need the following ingredients – and a little imagination to make it completely your own!
What You'll Need
Dried fruit - I used figs, dates, raisins, sultanas and apricots
Brandy – (cheap or expensive, this will just effect how you make it!)
A lemon and an orange
Brown sugar
Vanilla essence
Spice – I used cinnamon (some sticks would look nice too!), cloves, and cardamom pods
Here is how to make them:
1) The easy-peasy bit – mix up all the fruit in a bowl
2) Squeeze the lemon and orange juice on top
3) Peel the lemon and orange (ensure you don’t get the yucky tasting pith) and mix that in too in small strips
4) Sprinkle with cinnamon (add more to taste later), throw in a few cloves
5) Pour in the brown sugar – I used about 250-500g – i is all a matter of personal taste as to how sweet you want it, and how good the brandy is!
6) Pour over enough brandy to pretty much cover the fruit, and then stir everything vigoraously to mix. Leave for about an hour to all soak in nicely.
7) Now, if you have been a cheapskate like me and bought cheap brandy, you will need to heat and boil this to get rid of that horrible cheap taste. If it is expensive, you can still do this to make it less alcoholic, but a good month of so of constant shaking in a jar will have it all blended in nicely.
8) To heat, literally pour the juice into a saucepan and gently heat, stirring continuously. After 5 to 10 minute (taste to check how alcoholic it tastes), pour it back on the fruit, stir, and bottle/jar immediately in pretty present-worthy jars. At this point you can add some more spices, and once heated stir in the best vanilla you can get hold of without selling an arm and a leg.
9) Leave to cool, label with serving suggestion (such as in cakes, or labelled (spooned?) over ice-cream.
Voila! Isn’t that easy?! Leave to mature for as long as you can, and then enjoy!!